Friday, November 20, 2015

Keeping our homes warm this winter - By Rep. Mark Bryant

Winter
is coming, and with it, the cold weather that Mainers know so well. Maine
people know that the cold is not something to be taken lightly, and we need to
be prepared to get through the winter safely – and warmly.

The
price of fuel may be cheaper than usual this year, but it can still be
expensive to keep old Maine homes warm. There are several resources available
for those who need assistance with heating costs.

Recognizing
this critical need in our community, I, along with Sen. Bill Diamond and former
Sen. Gary Plummer, founded Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors in 2007, a
nonprofit that provides fuel assistance to Windham residents.

The
mission of Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors is “to provide one-time
emergency assistance to Windham residents experiencing a critical need for
heating fuel; to help direct individuals to appropriate long-term resources and
to promote a culture of neighbors helping neighbors.” You can visit our website
at www.windhamneighbors.org, or call me at
892-6591 to learn more.

Another
resource is the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, which is
available for both homeowners and renters. Households with an income lower than
150 percent of the poverty level are eligible to apply. For example, a family
of four whose income is $36,375 or less would qualify.

If anyone in the
household is over age 60, below age 2 or has a health condition that puts them
at risk of hypothermia, the eligibility is adjusted. You can get help from
LIHEAP in Windham by calling the Opportunity Alliance, at 553-5900, or emailing
them at heatingassistance@opportunityalliance.org.

If
you are eligible for LIHEAP, you can also apply for additional programs through
the Opportunity Alliance, including Furnace Repair or Replacement, and the
Emergency Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), which can provide help once per
heating season to avoid electricity cut-off.

Due
to low oil prices this year, LIHEAP is shifting a portion of its funds from
fuel purchases to energy-efficiency improvements to help weatherize homes.
These extra funds will be used to insulate, air-seal and improve heating
systems in nearly 1,000 homes. With our state’s old housing stock, these
projects will only address a fraction of the need, but it is a step forward.
Weatherization projects also help create jobs, although there is a need for
more trained workers in this field.

For
those with old or inefficient heating systems that are especially costly, the
Rural Development Repair and Rehabilitation Program is a great option. You can
find out more at the Maine page on the United States Department of Agriculture
Rural Development website, which is www.rurdev.usda.gov/ME.

Finally,
211 Maine connects individuals in need with community resources available to
them. You can call 211 or visit www.211maine.org for a
complete directory. Our town may have General Assistance funds available for
basic living expenses, including heating oil, and the Windham Town Office can
be reached at 892-1906.

As
you can see, there are many options out there for “neighbors helping neighbors”
to keep ourselves and our neighbors warm. If you are aware of neighbors or
community members who may need help, make sure to let them know about their
options. Stay warm!

Rep.
Mark Bryant is serving his fifth non-consecutive term in the Maine House and
represents part of Windham. He serves on the Committee on State and Local
Government and the Committee on Transportation.